On Coming Home to Yourself

Most us tend to spend a lot of time in the “out there” and not so much time “in here.” It’s a product of the outer world that we exist in; Always, energy is moving away from us, grasping, clinging; to products that we are being sold, to the computer screen, to our phones.

If you’re not sure what I’m talking about, try this: As you’re probably in front of a screen right now, just notice; are you leaning forward? Is your head moving forward towards the screen? Are your eyes open? Hard? Maybe you can feel energy moving from you as you grasp at the screen?

It doesn’t have to be like this.

If we can take time to be with ourselves, to come home to ourselves, we can find a place deep inside that is pure consciousness, pure knowing, pure presence.

And you will notice after the practice of coming home to yourself in this way that at least for a little while, you are able to move from the “in here.” You may also notice that the feeling now is more of the energy of the outside world coming to you rather than of you flowing out to grasp it.

We can use our yoga practice to be with ourselves in this way . Next time you practice, every time your hands find Anjali mudra try bringing your awareness to your heart space, the invitation is to drop into the heart, a gateway to the “in here.” Also, notice your gaze, whilst you’re in an asana, are the eyes jumping from one object to the next? I recommend using a Drishti, a specific focal point to keep the mind steady and allow for the journey back within. Finally, pranayama (OK, I know I’m a little obsessed with the breath) but seriously, pranayama will open a doorway to some deep spaces. If you’ve been practising asana for at least a couple of years, it’s time to start a pranayama practice.

“Just keep coming home to yourself, you are the one who you’ve been waiting for.” Byron Katie